[FREE IRAN Project] In The Spirit Of Cyrus The GreatViews expressed here are not necessarily the views & opinions of ActivistChat.com. Comments are unmoderated. Abusive remarks may be deleted. ActivistChat.com retains the rights to all content/IP info in in this forum and may re-post content elsewhere.

I saw this information in another forum (http://www.iranunited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5766) and when checked the google earth I noticed that they have put "Arabian Gulf" side by side with Persian Gulf on the map. This is definitely another attempt to distort the historical facts in the region which may be followed by undermining our national heritage and historical presence and influence in our own region by external powers which have been meddling with our affairs particularly during last couple of centuries. you can make yourself heard in whatever way you see appropriate but one way is to eport this matter to Google Earth through this website:

make sure you center the map on Persian Gulf which in this particular page has no label on it!

This is what I wrote to them:
"Historical name for The body of water between Iran and Arabic countries to the south of that body of water is called "Persian Gulf". There is no such thing as Arabian Gulf through out the history and I respectfully request removal of that label which is misleading viewers."

It has come to our attention that Google Earth has been using an unrecognized name for the Always and Forever, Persian Gulf.
Considering the fact that it is in Googles interest as a search engine is to support educational and scientific institution, it is hard for us to fathom how they made reference to the Persian Gulf with an unrecognized name. The United Nations, in addition to historical records and facts that date back more than thousands of years, have made it abundantly clear that the body of water in question is recognized as the Persian Gulf.
The United Nations has twice recognized the legality of the term "Persian Gulf" (UNAD 311/March 5, 1971 and UNLA 45.8.2 (c) on August 10, 1984). It is significant that all Arab countries have signed the UN documents. For further information consult the following links:

Unfortunately due to powerful anti-Iranian activities and the typical incompetence of the Islamic Republic that occupies Iran, the southern states of the Persian Gulf who have only come to existence thanks to foreign powers, have slowly become more brazen. As the result the incorrect term of "Arabian Gulf" is mainly the result of a "successful public relations campaign undertaken in the name of geopolitical interests".
In the fall of 2004, the National Geographic Society (NGS) made the same error. Marze Por Gohar party along with other Iranian opposition groups successfully demanded revisions to the on-line version as well as the 9th edition of the Atlas.

The Islamic Republic has had its foreign minister issue a statement whereby he thanks those outside Iran for defending the Persian Gulf, however they fail to realize that if Iran was being governed by real Iranians concerned with our national interests and territorial integrity in the first place then no entity would dare attempt to infringe upon our culture, history and territorial integrity.

We urge google earth to correct these errors, and to apologize to the nation of Iran for damaging our national culture and heritage in addition to our territorial integrity.

Down With Islamic Republic
Long Live Iran
Mani Aryamand
On behalf of Persian Gulf Committee of the Marze Por Gohar Party_________________Marze Por Gohar Party
Iranians for a Secuar Republic
ttp://www.marzeporgohar.org/

We, the undersigned, through this letter, protest your irresponsible, unscientific actions, and demand an immediate and unconditional deletion of “Arabian Gulf” from Google Earth.

Arbitrarily designating the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf is an irresponsible violation of all historical and International standards and would undermine the integrity of Google Earth.

For the records, the name Persia has always been used to describe the nation of Iran, its people, and its ancient empires since 600 BC. It is derived from the ancient Greek name for Iran's maritime province, called Fars or Pars in modern Persian, Pars in Middle Persian and Pârsa in Old Persian, a word meaning "above reproach.” Persis is the Hellenized form of Pars, and through the Latinized word Persia, the other European nations came to use this word for the region. This area was the core of the original Persian Empire.

Since ancient times almost all foreigners referred to the entire country as Persia until March 21, 1935, when Reza Shah Pahlavi formally asked the international community to call the country Iran — a name that the people of Persia, themselves, used to refer to their country since the Sassanian period. "Iran" means "Land of Aryans". In 1959 some Persian scholars protested to the government that the name change had separated the country from its ancient civilization. Therefore, the late King Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi announced that both Persia and Iran can be used in Western languages.

Without disparaging the Arabs, Iranians are proud of their non-Arab heritage and strongly resent any attempt at denigrating or changing any aspect of their Iranian heritage. And the Persian Gulf occupies a pivotal place in the Iranian history and culture. Furthermore, Iran abuts the Persian Gulf for 2,000 Km, while about a dozen recently-created Arab Sheikhdoms and emirates border the Gulf on the other side.

The historical and geographical name of the Persian Gulf has been endorsed and clarified by the United Nations on many occasions and is in use by the UN, its member states, and all other international agencies worldwide. The last UN Directive confirming the name of the Persian Gulf was (reference ST/CS/SER.A/29/Add.2) on August, 18th 1994.

The worldwide Iranian people are deeply affronted by this arrogant designation of “The Arabian Gulf.” We demand, in the strongest possible terms, that you take immediate steps to restore the rightful name of the Persian Gulf to the waterway on Google Earth and delete any other arbitrary name. We hope that this notice would suffice and obviates the need for litigation.

Sincerely,

Last edited by cyrus on Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:13 am; edited 2 times in total

Today this petition Signatures rate is No. 1 among 1000s of petition on http://www.petitiononline.com/
Fellow Free Iran activists and bloggers: can you help to push for keeping this petition to No.1 position ?
Please spread this petition as far as you can, by Bloggers, Email, Radio, TV …..

After 30 years of Islamist Mafia mess by Mullahs in Iran with hidden support from number of the G8 countries His Majesty Shah Of Iran and members of Imperial Iranian Foreign ministry are admired as wise peace loving patriots for their great service and contributions to motherland despite the fact that some of the late H.M. Shah Of Iran domestic policy were mistakes and we should not expect prefect leadership in the world when they are dealing with many complex problems …. As H.M. Shah Of Iran hoped the history and historian scholars will judge them favorably for keeping peace during difficult era.
With great appreciation for His Majesty Shah Of Iran who stood strong for defending the progressive Iranian People National Interest against backward destructive Middle East policy by some of Middle East and G8 countries ….

22901. Mohammad Jahazi I am surprised by lack of professionalism and that Google is showing. The persian Golf name is not related to the Islamic Repulic of Iran it is aprt of the Human hertiage and indication of himan civilization. Political issues are temporary ones and nothing is permanent (think about the communism ideology) they come and go what remains is the human history. As a university professor I am deeply disappointed from seeing such short term political dependance from Google. Google is the symbole of communication in the 21st century and it should not allow short term political decisions to ruine its credibility. HAve you ever thought if in X years from now the present Iranian regim changes and a pro westrern governement comes to power would you switch back to Persian Golf (how would Google would look like) . Please make sure you are a not a instrument in the hands of short term politicians please make sure the same way Persopolis and Persian Golf are part of human history you become also part of it.

22883. Mahmoud Daneshmand As a researcher and university professor who always relied on the truth from Google, I am very much disappointed to learn that you guys (Google) has deviated from the scientific and historical truths of the worls - shame on you, really.

13253. Amir Ghorbani The body of water has been called the PERSIAN GULF For 2500 years, and it shall remain The PERSIAN gulf for ever.

13143. arubarzan Dear Google, This is in regards to the recent Google Earth Version where the incorrect and erroneous term arabian gulf, was used to identify the Persian Gulf . Please be advised that the internationally, historically and geographically correct name for the body of water situated south of Iran between Iran and Saudi Arabia is the Persian Gulf . The only body of water that can reasonably be called the "Arabian Gulf" is the " Red Sea ". The Persian Gulf has no other internationally recognized name. The historically and geographically correct name of Persian Gulf has been endorsed by the United Nations on many occasions. The last UN Directive endorsing the name of the Persian Gulf was Directive reference ST/CS/SER.A/29/Add.2 on August 18th 1994. There is no room for politics in the world of geography, nor should Google pander to any specialgroup. I hope that you will take the necessary steps to correct the prejudiced and false name in the Google Earth Version. I must now urge you to correct th

13159. Nazanine Ezdiari For years I had relied on Google's accuracy. I now see that I was wrong. The person at the Google Geography department needs some serious geography and history 101 classes!

12888. Behrooz Abdi This irresponsible action by Google severely undermines the accuracy and integraity of the entire Google data base.

12759. Professor David Rahni Although one could still hold on to a glimmer of hope that the corporate objectives foresights of Goggle, as led by one of its founding senior VPs Omid Kordestani, might possibly prevail, nonetheless, once cannot help it but to conclude the abuse of the correct nomenclature, The Persian Gulf, by Google was a decision at the top to appease and patronize the seemingly super rich Arab Sheikdoms as set up by the British mandates of a recent era. It is and was a short-sighted and absurd decision, which in the long run will hurt Google’s bottom line, as it did when National Geographic, Scholastics and the British Airways made the same mistakes and paid for it dearly through the loss of their business base worldwide and tried in the court of public and media opinions (each had petitions signed by up to 100,000 and litigations contemplations, etc) For accurate information, please go to http://www.persiangulfonline.org

12698. Behzad Beheshti Only in an uncivilized and undemocratic society such self serving actions similar to changing the name of a country, state, city or waterway is done. No one in USA or Mexico calls the Gulf of Mexico Gulf of America; not even due to USA being the Superpower of the world. The same countries that you are trying to satisfy are on the top of the list of undemocratic counties. Stop changing the shape of the World because of $$$$$$$.

10755. Dr. Cyrus B. Toorkey The CORRECT name IS PERSIAN GULF!

10546. Dr Kurosh Parsi, President, Australasian College of Phlebology
10545. Abdur Rahman It has been Perisan Golf. It is Persian Golf and it will be Persian

10745. Ardeshir Eftekharzadeh How many times Iranians have to fight this ? The name is historically correct. Just like Gulf of Mexico. People don't change the names. We don't own the Persian Gulf. It's a body of international waters. Calling it by the name Arabian won't make it a property of Arabs, nor would it confer to Arabs any privilidge. it's just inaccurate and incorrect.

10544. Rooz Enayati I'm very disappointed that google is trying to rewrite history, the Gulf has been known as the Persian Gulf for centuries. This is another form of ethnic cleansing that is slowly being perpetrated to change and destroy the Persian culture, it started with the influence of the Arabic religion of Islam which was forced upon us, and is continuing through todays political format.

10396. Golnaz Khosrawani is this about MONEY or geography and history?!

Dariush Riahi wrote:

10404. Dariush Riahi Persian Gulf is a historic and undeniable fact and it has been called such for well over 2500 years where as the newly formed Arab Sheikhdoms are less than 70 years old. PLEASE STOP YOUR FUTIAL ATTEMPT in creeping in arabian gulf to appease the arabs.

ActivistChat wrote:

10106. ActivistChat Why No Iranian Is Muslim and No Muslim Is Iranian and reject real Arabs … June 637 The Invasion of Barbarian Arabs To Persia: The incredible carpet, "Spring of Khosrow," went to Mecca where Islam's religious leaders, disdainful of material posessions, cut it into pieces. The destruction wreaked by the ignorant Arabs went on. The The massive libraries so carefully collected by the Sassanian kings scattered in the capricious wind of the Arab edict: “If the books herein are in accord with Islam, then we don't need them. If the books herein are not in accord with Islam, then they are kafir (of the infidel) " The shameful Saudi Arabian terrorists who murdered thousands on September 11th,.... are true sons of Muhammad and Arabs … Persian Gulf Forever No Matter How Saudi pays …..

ActivistChat wrote:

10041. ActivistChat: Persian Gulf Forever ….. Iranian recognize that there are major differences between primitive Wahhabist Saudi Arabian Islamic culture and Egytian, Iraqi, Syrian, Lebanon ....... culture. Real Arabs are people from Saudi Arabia live in Mecca …. The First Invasion of Iran by Islam: happened approximately 1400 years ago by Arabia's Islamic barbarians, who in the name of God, Brotherhood and Equality, aimed to conquer and plunder. We have learned that there is a striking similarity between the WTC Terrorist attack and the burning of Tees-fun library by primitive Islamic fanatic invaders. 1400 years ago, a great collection of books was kept in the Persian empire's Library at Tees-fun, which was the first or second biggest center of art, literature, and science in the world. This vast collection of books was set ablaze and destroyed by Arabian Invaders, setting World's clock back by at least 400 years. The Saudi Arabian terrorists who murdered thousands on September 11th,....

10271. Irene S What would the English say if we decided to change the 'English Channel' to the 'French Channel' or the Atlantic Ocean to the American Ocean? With all the problems that we should be dealing with around the world, what is the point of changing the name of the Persian Gulf? The cultural war being waged on Iran and its people is now in full gear.

Houman Mazaheri wrote:

10266. Houman Mazaheri

Arabian Gulf is an imaginary name rapidly used by Arab National-Socialists, real name is Persian Gulf. Arab governments since historical times have been abusive and racist towards non-Arab population of Middle East, be it Jews, Persians, Kurds, Assyrians, etc. It is time to put an end to their discriminatory, violent, abusive conducts and actions. Thus the name of the southern waters of Iran is Persian Gulf, change the name on your maps to show this real name.

Last edited by cyrus on Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:10 pm; edited 3 times in total

1) In order to keep the momentum high for Petition 56 and become No. 1 petition among 1000s of Internet petitions please consider to ask your supporters in USA to help Petition 56 by using their own collective resources to put one page Newspaper Ads or Tv Ads in major USA Media.
Fellow Free Iran activists and bloggers should help to push this petition to No.1 ...
Please spread this petition as far as you can by your own Bloggers, Emails ... Please don't wait for others to work for our goals ..... and act as if there is no one expect you ...

I have written to every single friend of mine to sign this personally. (No mass email). The response was great they did it and forwarded it to their friends. When I signed up the petition two days ago the counter was at 18000. Now it is at 25000 (!) in only two days!

We should also ask the Western people (like our Western friends) to vote with us against the Blind Arab Nationalism that is overtaking the Middle East!

I have written to every single friend of mine to sign this personally. (No mass email). The response was great they did it and forwarded it to their friends. When I signed up the petition two days ago the counter was at 18000. Now it is at 25000 (!) in only two days!

We should also ask the Western people (like our Western friends) to vote with us against the Blind Arab Nationalism that is overtaking the Middle East!

The winds of united Iranians are blowing across the world and is awakening many to the truth of our great Persian civilization. Congratulations to all those who vociferously and in solidarity with their fellow Iranians signed this petition regardless of their political views. We have become number and the most active petition among one thousand petitions online. Once again, it has become clear that it is possible to disagree about many subjects without giving vent to rancor and malevolence. Speaking the truth demands nothing less. Let us keep this flame alive and burning by adding more signatures to this extremely important petition about the everlasting name of Persian Gulf . If we can do this simple thing together, we can do everything together.

Last edited by cyrus on Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:07 am; edited 2 times in total

This is what I have received from "Google Earth" in response to my e-mail:

Quote:

Thank you for your note on how we can make our database better. We
appreciate your feedback and use your comments to improve both our
database and our Help Center.

We investigate all data errors and pass all imagery requests on to our
data production team.

We're aware that the imagery for some areas may appear blurry, contain
cloud coverage, appear slightly discolored or out of focus. We strive to
provide the clearest data possible so it's likely that better resolution
data is currently unavailable from our data providers. Once it becomes
available, we'll surely update our database.

Although we do update and/or add new data on a monthly basis, we do not
have a list of when currently low resolution areas or data anomalies will
be updated.

A great way to stay informed of updates is through The Sightseer, our
monthly newsletter, which highlights all of our data additions on an
ongoing basis. If you'd like to subscribe, please visit
http://earth.google.com/sightseer_signup.html

In addition, we're aware that some addresses are not roof-top accurate.
This is the result of how addresses are matched up to an exact position on
the Earth. We rely on a technique called "address interpolation," which is
a fancy way of saying that we take our best guess. More specifically, we
take the total number of addresses in a given block and assume an even
distribution of the addresses along that block. For example, if there are
ten addresses for the 800 block of Main Street, we assume that the fifth
address is located at the halfway point.

Ideally, we'd use a database that could precisely match addresses to their
rooftops, but unfortunately, such a database doesn't exist. We hope to
have a system in place in the near future that will allow users to correct
their location search results.

Dear Toofaan,
If you don't mind would you please post your letter to Google.
Regards,
Cyrus

Toofaan wrote:

This is what I have received from "Google Earth" in response to my e-mail:

Google wrote:

Thank you for your note on how we can make our database better. We
appreciate your feedback and use your comments to improve both our
database and our Help Center.

We investigate all data errors and pass all imagery requests on to our
data production team.

We're aware that the imagery for some areas may appear blurry, contain
cloud coverage, appear slightly discolored or out of focus. We strive to
provide the clearest data possible so it's likely that better resolution
data is currently unavailable from our data providers. Once it becomes
available, we'll surely update our database.

Although we do update and/or add new data on a monthly basis, we do not
have a list of when currently low resolution areas or data anomalies will
be updated.

A great way to stay informed of updates is through The Sightseer, our
monthly newsletter, which highlights all of our data additions on an
ongoing basis. If you'd like to subscribe, please visit
http://earth.google.com/sightseer_signup.html

In addition, we're aware that some addresses are not roof-top accurate.
This is the result of how addresses are matched up to an exact position on
the Earth. We rely on a technique called "address interpolation," which is
a fancy way of saying that we take our best guess. More specifically, we
take the total number of addresses in a given block and assume an even
distribution of the addresses along that block. For example, if there are
ten addresses for the 800 block of Main Street, we assume that the fifth
address is located at the halfway point.

Ideally, we'd use a database that could precisely match addresses to their
rooftops, but unfortunately, such a database doesn't exist. We hope to
have a system in place in the near future that will allow users to correct
their location search results.

My note to Google Earth was sent through the link which I provided in my first post under this topic. The message was short and to the point. Here is what I wrote them

Quote:

"Historical name for The body of water between Iran and Arabic countries to the south of that body of water is called "Persian Gulf". There is no such thing as Arabian Gulf through out the history and I respectfully request removal of that label which is misleading viewers."